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DPSSCHP Class 87 News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2008
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8409


THIRTY SIX NEW TROOPERS GRADUATE FROM 87th HIGHWAY PATROL CLASS

COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol held graduation ceremonies today for its 87th Highway Patrol basic class at SC Criminal Justice Academy. Thirty six new troopers joined the Highway Patrol bringing the total number of troopers in South Carolina to 955.

For the past 19 weeks, troopers have undergone intense training, covering such topics as collision investigation, traffic stops, firearms’ training, enforcement techniques, etc.

Troopers are trained by the Criminal Justice Academy, which trains all South Carolina law enforcement officers, for the first nine weeks. The Highway Patrol Training staff then works with them for the remainder of their 19 weeks honing their skills in collision investigation and traffic enforcement. Three cadets in this class were pre-certified officers who only went through Patrol training.

At each graduation, the Patrol presents awards to outstanding troopers. Winners from the 87th class include:

Adam L. Antley: Winner of the Colonel P.F. Thompson Outstanding Achievement Award: for the trooper who displays the character and dedication symbolic of former Highway Patrol Colonel P.F. Thompson, the longest serving Patrol commander.

Adam L. Antley: Winner of the J. P. Strom Award: for the trainee with the highest academic average.

Marshall S. Webb: Winner of the Israel Brooks Jr. Physical Fitness Award: presented to the trooper who excelled on his physical training test and excelled each day during the early morning exercises. This award was re-named in honor of Israel Brooks Jr. after he passed away September 7, 2007.

Jared L. Griffith: Winner of the Marksmanship Award: presented to the trooper who had the best marksmanship during firearms training.

Attached is a list of graduating troopers, their ages, home counties and assigned counties.

Photographs of new troopers may be obtained on the SCDPS web site under: http://www.schp.org/cro/SCHP_trooper_Class_87.html.